Rolling Thunder ‘gang’ to hit D.C.

In the typical sense of the term, the 7,000-plus members of Rolling Thunder aren’t a motorcycle “gang.” Rather, they’re a “gang” that just happens to ride motorcycles – and they’re coming to our nation’s capital.

Their common links, besides mode of transportation, are derived from their service in the U.S. military. All served their country, and while some served during wartime – Korea, Vietnam the Gulf wars – others served during times of peace. And all have an interest in pressing the U.S. government to find and bring home all Americans who are either still missing in action or, unbelievably, being held as prisoners of war.

“We would like to tell America and the world about the work that we do and the work yet to be done,” says Debbie Walter, a spokesperson for the group.

“When I found out our government left living POWs behind, I wanted to do something about the past and protect future veterans so they would not be left behind in the next war,” said Artie Muller, a co-founder of Rolling Thunder.

Muller was 20 years old when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965. He served tours of duty in the jungles of South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. From 1966-67 he served in the 4th Infantry Division as a search-and-destroy specialist. He was wounded three times and earned the Combat Infantry Badge.

“I fight for [the POWs] because I was a combat vet, and if I had been captured I would want someone to fight for me,” he said.

Over Memorial Day weekend, from May 24-26, Muller, members from the group’s 50 chapters and some 250,000 other motorcyclists from around the country will converge on Washington, D.C., to highlight the POW/MIA cause. At the same time, they will pay homage to all the nation’s veterans, as well as the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist victims.

To some, the event will only represent noise and inconvenience, as tens of thousands of participants wind their way through D.C., from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Memorial Wall. But to others – mostly veterans and other supporters of the U.S. military – the sounds will be music to their ears.

“Rolling Thunder uses motorcycles to be heard by legislators, policymakers and voters,” said Walter. “With the U.S. again engaging in military actions and more soldiers being called up for duty, as well as vets returning home, these messages are critical.”

Besides using its annual trek to D.C. – this year’s event is Rolling Thunder’s 16th – the group also backs legislation friendly to veterans, POWs and MIAs. The group sponsors “search and retrieval” missions into Southeast Asia, and its members also spend time with homebound veterans, as well as provide them food, clothing and other support.

Last year, the Rolling Thunder National Chapter spent $170,000 on public-awareness campaigns related to the MIA/POW issue and other veterans-related issues from all wars. The group says service members are still listed as missing in action from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and various U.S. military actions since. Some members, as well as non-members, believe U.S. soldiers are still being held as prisoners of war, both in Korea and Vietnam.

Incorporated in 1995 as a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, the group was founded in 1987 by Muller and fellow Vietnam veteran Ray Manzo.